New Tool to Raise Quality of the Built Environment

New Tool to Raise Quality of the Built Environment

Monday 29 August

A new comprehensive and modern suite of Design Guidelines crafted as a “must have” tool for the construction industry, its clients and professionals engaged in building and infrastructure projects, will soon be available from the Construction Industry Council (CIC).

Teena Pennington, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Institute of Architects and CIC Deputy-Chair, says that whatever the role of a business or individual in a building project the CIC Guidelines will be an invaluable source of information to achieve best practice results.

“They aim to achieve:

• Improved project engagement and understanding of clients;

• Better clear and consistent communication among those involved with a project;

• Co-operation and co-ordination between all parties;

• Full identification of risks and agreement on management of them; and

• A clear understanding of new regulatory obligations and client project requirements.”

The Guidelines produced by the CIC update a set produced some 10 years ago and incorporate requirements that satisfy the latest building and engineering trends and practices as well as new regulations, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act.

They will be launched at a special CIC function in Parliament’s Grand Hall on Tuesday, August 30.

CIC Chair and Chief Executive of Registered Master Builders Association, David Kelly says the updated Guidelines are the result of some 200 hours of voluntary work carried out by engineering and design professionals whose experience at the forefront of industry practice made them uniquely placed for the task.

“This update of the existing Guidelines is especially timely because of the changes that have taken place in our industry over the last decade in methodologies and construction practices. Growing use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) puts a huge emphasis on the need for better client/industry collaboration, communication and ways of working and delivering projects.”

Mr Kelly says that from their original adoption by the industry, the Guidelines have come to represent the single most cohesive interdisciplinary guide for industry and clients of projects available in New Zealand.

“At the time of their adoption they were considered by overseas authorities to be a global first in collaborative industry endeavour, and their subsequent use throughout New Zealand and overseas has well justified the professional resources invested by the CIC and its members.

“Updated, they will be a much valued tool for industry, professionals, and clients of construction projects. As part of a suite of guidelines dealing with industry best practice, they are of considerable significance to the overall development of a quality built environment. Industry clients and decision makers will benefit considerably from the contribution they make to lifting quality improvements in construction and infrastructure provision.”

He says the Guidelines will be available free to all through the CIC website www.nzcic.co.nz. It is hoped that the Guidelines become referred to as industry standard, whether private or public client initiated projects.

The construction sector is now going through a boom period and is forecast to reach unprecedented levels, with a sustained growth not seen in 40 years. Current forecasts show the peak this year will represent another 20 percent ($3 billion) more construction than at the end of 2014. This peak is 30 percent higher than the previous peak in 2007.

All this activity reflects an industry comprising more than 53,500 businesses and 232,000 people in employment (10 percent of total employment last year).

In launching these Guidelines, the CIC is looking to improve the quality of industry performance and ultimately provide greater benefits and certainty for clients and consumers. - ends

About the CIC: The Construction Industry Council (CIC) www.nzcic.co.nz is a not for profit industry association of associations in the building and construction, design and property sectors. It is the collaborative voice of the built environment industry in New Zealand and operates as an interface between government (central and local) and industry. The strength of CIC is as a collaborative group for information, networking, research and advocacy towards a better built environment for all New Zealanders.

ENDS

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